Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, will not leave his television career to become the U.S. surgeon general, he told network officials, according to sources familiar with his decision.

Gupta, who had been the leading candidate for the post, withdrew his name even as President Obama hosted a health care summit at the White House. Gupta did not attend.

There was not immediate word to explain his decision. Sources had confirmed weeks ago that Obama had offered the job to Gupta and that the neurosurgeon had intended to take it. At the time, sources said Gupta would leave his network job for the government post.